This week UR students are getting active and taking on international issues with a series of awareness and fund-raising events on the main River Campus. Interestingly enough, none of the student organization that are hosting events and fund-raisers in the upcoming weeks coordinated with one another. Call it “a fortunate coincidence,” or, as my friend would say, “there’s no such thing as a coincidence; it’s divine,” students have their minds and hearts on one accord. Below are some of the events that are lined up for this week. They are all opened to the public (note that there may be a different price for students versus the general community):

WAGING PEACE- A Benefit for the Shropshire Music Foundation will feature the MIDNIGHT RAMBLERS and WALRI: OCTOBER 1, 8:00 – 9:00 PM Strong Auditorium, River Campus. $5 for UR card holders, and $10 for the general public.

In this week’s issue of the Campus Times, I wrote a story about the founder of the Shropshire Music Foundation, Liz Shropshire. http://bit.ly/bnd6Qb. Shropshire, who has over 20 years of experience in teaching emotionally distraught 4 to 60 year-olds how to play instruments, is one of the most hardworking and driven individuals I’ve ever met. Her foundation sends music instructors to countries with high concentrations of child refugees to teach them ageless music, as well as coming to the aid of their general needs. She spends 3 months in Kovoso, Uganda and Northern Ireland each year while jumping from state to state to raise funds for her program. With 100+ hour work weeks and little pay, her drive is truly inspirational. (see story for full details)

Celebrate Our Humanity – “a dinner discussion event designed to celebrate different cultures and the common humanity that unites us all. A selection of ethnically diverse cuisine will be served and several speakers will give presentations during the event” (Facebook event page): OCTOBER 1, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Douglass Dining Center, $15. Sponsored by UR Genocide

Keynote speaker John Dau of “the Lost Boys of Sudan” and author of “God Grew Tired of us” will share his story and reflect on the conditions in Darfur. A UR freshman from Darfur will also share a firsthand account of some of the trials that he has faced while growing up in his country.

The Invisible Children – Two Ugandan students will advocate for “the invisible children of Uganda,” sharing their account of the poor living conditions and educational system in their homelands: OCTOBER 4, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Hoyt Auditorium, FREE

This week I got the chance to catch up with the president of the UR club sponsoring the event, Penelope Spicer of UR Amnesty National. http://bit.ly/8Y1fL7. This event is only one of several engaging programs that they have lined up for the year (and are OPENED TO THE PUBLIC).

A Taste of Africa – New UR group, UR Uganda will be hosting it’s first fundraiser of the year with a formal night of African culture through art, music and food: OCTOBER 6, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Sahara Gallery of African Art on 645 Park Avenue, UR Student: $10 online or $15 at the door, Public: $20 online or $25 at the door

“An evening of fine wine, Hors d’oeuvres, coffee, desserts and authentic African Art, “A Taste of Africa” is sure to be a one of a kind event. The night also features live music, and a silent auction of genuine African jewelry and art. We have also incorporated a vast array of information, photos and video specific to the work UR Uganda is doing in Lugala.” (Facebook event page). http://www.campustimes.org/2010/09/23/ur-uganda-looks-to-aid-african-village/

Realistically speaking, a college schedule makes it humanly impossible to attend all of these great events. However, I always make it my duty to at least attend one or two of these type of programs a month.

And don’t hesitate to attend any UR events – we’re apart of Rochester and Rochester is apart of us. We’re just as eager to see locals at our events as locals are eager to see us participating in the greater community. If there are any events that you feel haven’t been sufficiently publicized and student may not know about it, please send me a message so that I can filter the info to the student body in the Campus Times

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Kate McGowan is a former Rochester television news reporter now working in the non-profit sector for the nation’s leading children’s charity, Make-A-Wish. She is passionate about inspiring young professionals to use their talents in becoming more actively involved in their communities. Follow her on Twitter at @KateMcGowan

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Jenna Kempie is the Social Media Chair for the Rochester Young Professionals, and is contributing posts on RYP activities and other helpful insights for young professionals in the community. Jenna enjoys getting out and exploring the area, and talking to people about their Rochester experiences, print and technology - on and offline. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaKempie

Jennifer Galvez Caton is an active arts volunteer who shares her passion and perspective on theater, film, dance and music with young professionals in the Rochester area.

Jerome Nathaniel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester, where he was an executive editor for the Campus Times and a service fellow with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Now, the Brooklyn native has returned to Rochester as an Americorp Vista at Foodlink, where he's serving as a hunger advocate.

Kayleigh Nutting is a non-profit professional that came to Rochester for college and never left. She is a graduate student and works full time planning special events and fundraising. Follow her as she writes about kicking back, giving back and appreciating the Flower City.

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Stefanie Schwingle is a Rochester native and has worked at Wegmans Corporation for the past 10 years, but her interests lie in entrepreneurship and communication and her passions include urban living, photography, and cooking. Stefanie lives downtown with her husband and loves everyday life in the city.

Taren Greenidge earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, in 2007 from Spelman College and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. She is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C, a U.S.-based international law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in every aspect of labor and employment law. Taren is the president of the Black Young Professionals of Rochester, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc., which targets individuals ages 21 through 40 to foster growth and professional development, to empower members to achieve success and to strive to improve the community.